Soroca
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| Soroca | |
  Soroca
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| Coordinates: | |
|---|---|
| Country |  Moldova |
| County | Soroca County |
| Government | |
| - Mayor | Victor SAU |
| Population (2005) | |
| - Total | 28,407 |
| Website: Primăria Soroca | |
Soroca is a Moldovan city situated on the Dniester River about 160 km north of Chisinau.
[edit] History
The town had its origin in the medieval Genoese trade post of Olchionia, or Alchona. It is well known for its excellently preserved stronghold, established by the Moldavian Prince Stephen the Great (Ştefan cel Mare in Romanian) in 1499.
The wooden fort, defending a ford over the Dniester, was an important link in the chain of fortifications which comprised four forts on the Dniester (e.g., Akkerman and Khotin), two forts on the Danube, and three forts on the north border of medieval Moldavia. It was Petru Rareş who constructed the existing stone citadel with five bastions in 1543-46.
During the Great Turkish War, John Sobieski's forces successfully defended the fortress against the Ottomans. It was of vital military importance during the Pruth Campaign of Peter the Great in 1711. The stronghold was sacked by the Russians in the Russo-Turkish War (1735–1739). The Soroca Fortress is a very important attraction in Soroca!It has really preserved cultures and kept the old Soroca in the present day.
[edit] Demographics
Population: 28,407 (2004);[citation needed] 42,700 (1991).[citation needed]
The town has a sizable Gypsy minority and is popularly known as the Gypsy "capital of Moldova.[1]
[edit] References
- ^ Steve Kokker, Cathryn Kemp (2004) "Romania and Moldova" (a travel guide), ISBN 174104149X p.322
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